The U.S. Should Try 'To Russia With Love'

Updated Dec. 12, 2007 12:01 a.m. ET

Robert D. Blackwill's "Forgive Russia, Confront Iran," (op-ed, Dec. 6) was the most sensible commentary about Russia I have read on your pages in years. I've traveled to Russia often and have come to understand some reasons for the current political climate. There is more to Vladimir Putin's popularity than oil-fueled prosperity. In the early to mid-'90's I found young Russians to be largely pro-American. They looked at the U.S. as a model for their country and were hopeful that the fall of communism would usher in an era of cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. However, cold water was thrown on these...